Sunderland visit Newcastle for the second derby of the season on Sunday.
Sam Allardyce’s side beat their arch rivals 3-0 at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season after Fabricio Coloccini was controversially sent off, giving then new Black Cats manager Sam Allardyce his first win after he lost his first game in charge.
Now the shoe is on the other foot. Steve McClaren has been replaced by Rafa Benitez, who lost his first game in charge against Leicester City on Monday night. Will the Magpies do a Sunderland and win the derby after changing manager?
The Black Cats have a chance to continue their unprecedented record and win seven consecutive derbies, whilst the Wearsiders are undefeated in their last eight. After being disappointed to only take a point from Southampton, Sunderland’s defence need to stay switched on until the final whistle if they are to stand a chance.
We take a look at how Sunderland will potentially lineup. Given the current positions of both clubs, the starting XI has to be perfect in what is possibly the biggest derby of all time.
